John Tyler Papers mssTyler
Melissa Haley
The Huntington Library
May 2021
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: John Tyler papers
Creator:
Tyler, John, 1790-1862
Identifier/Call Number: mssTyler
Physical Description:
2.34 Linear Feet
(2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1838-1856
Abstract: This collection primarily consists of letters to John Tyler, from 1842 to 1852, many of them invitations to visit or attend
various cities, clubs, societies, and celebrations.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more
information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. John Tyler papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Laurie and David Chaffey, December 2, 2004.
John Tyler (March 29, 1790-January 18, 1862), the tenth president of the United States, was born at the Greenway plantation,
Virginia, the son of a judge, former governor, and enslaver. Tyler, a lawyer, served in the Virginia legislature and the executive
council of the commonwealth. In 1816, he was appointed to the U.S. House of Representatives and in 1825 he became governor
of Virginia. Tyler was elected vice-president in 1840 on the Whig ticket of William Henry Harrison and became president in
April 1841 following Harrison's death in office.
During Tyler's tenure as president, boundary disputes with Canada in Maine and Minnesota were settled through the Webster-Ashburton
Treaty, negotiated with Great Britain by Daniel Webster in 1842. The treaty also contained a commitment to ending the African
slave trade. Tyler supported the annexation of Texas, inviting it to join the U.S. in 1844. Unpopular with his own party,
the Democrats, Tyler removed himself from the 1844 presidential race, supporting candidate James K. Polk instead.
Tyler owned several plantations in Virginia and enslaved around 30 laborers; he supported the rights of enslavers and states'
rights, eventually supporting Southern secession. Tyler married Letitia Christian in 1813 who died during his presidency in
1842. In 1844, he married Julia Gardner. He had 15 children. Tyler retired to a plantation in Virginia named Sherwood Forest.
He died in Richmond of a stroke at age 71.
This collection primarily consists of letters to John Tyler, from 1842 to 1852, many of them invitations to visit or attend
various cities, clubs, societies, and celebrations. Correspondence also concerns the Democratic Party, politics; and the 1844
election, party division, and Tyler's withdrawal from the race. Also present are financial records of White House expenses
while Tyler was in office in 1844, Tyler's opinion on the published correspondence of Henry Clay, and a document in Tyler's
hand regarding the 1830s military leave of absence case of a Lieutenant Schamberg. In addition, the collection contains an
1838 copybook belonging to Benjamin Harker, the son of Benjamin Harker, founder of the Harker Pottery Company in East Liverpool,
Ohio.
This collection was reprocessed in 2021 by Melissa Haley as part of the American Presidential Papers Project. Previously assigned
item-level call numbers have been retained; material was rehoused during reprocessing. The number of pages for each item is
noted in parentheses in item-level Scope and Contents notes. Page count for letters includes enclosures but not envelopes
or addressed covers.
Previously assigned legacy terminology regarding autograph status was retained; items marked
autograph indicate the item is in the handwriting of the author of the letter or document.
The Huntington Library holds a number of individual John Tyler items, see
library catalog for details.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1844
United States -- Politics and Government -- 1841-1845
United States -- Politics and Government -- 1845-1849
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Democratic Party (U.S.)
Box 1, Folder 1
Benjamin Harker copybook, Ohio HM 71041 1838 November 28
Bound volume. School copybook belonging to Benjamin Harker of East Liverpool, Ohio, the son of Benjamin Harker, the founder
of the Harker Pottery Company. Primarily math problems; also includes sketches, handwriting. Date taken from front page, which
reads "B, Harker, Tipton, Novr 28th 1838." Relationship to John Tyler unclear. (32 pages)
Box 1, Folder 2
Box 1, Folder 3
Box 1, Folder 4
Box 1, Folder 5
Box 1, Folder 6
Box 1, Folder 7
Box 1, Folder 8
Box 1, Folder 9
William G. Bryan, Batavia, New York, notice HM 71032 1843 June 10
Box 1, Folder 10
Box 1, Folder 11
Box 1, Folder 12
Box 1, Folder 13
Selah Mathews, Rochester, letter to John Tyler, Boston HM 71053, HM 71028 1843 June 14
Box 1, Folder 14
Box 1, Folder 15
Box 1, Folder 16
Box 1, Folder 17
Box 1, Folder 18
Box 2, Folder 1
Box 2, Folder 2
Box 2, Folder 3
Box 2, Folder 4
Box 2, Folder 5
Box 2, Folder 6
Box 2, Folder 7
Box 2, Folder 8
Box 2, Folder 9
Box 2, Folder 10
Abraham Hatfield et al, New York, letter to John Tyler HM 71044, HM 71036 1844 August
Box 2, Folder 11
Box 2, Folder 12
Box 2, Folder 13
Box 2, Folder 14
Box 2, Folder 15
Box 2, Folder 16